A 17-year-old boy died while a man was wounded after they were stabbed by two alleged members of a street gang in Barangay Tangos North, Navotas City on Thursday evening, Sept. 14.
The Navotas City Police Station (NCPS) said the teenager and the wounded victim identified as Ramon Doinog, 23, are both residents of Barangay Tangos.
Police investigators withheld the name of the slain victim.
Probers said the two victims were stabbed by two male children, who are members of the "Solid Supremo Squad", a gang of minors, on A. Cruz Steet in Brgy. Tangos North at around 7 p.m.
According to the police report, Doinog saw one of the suspects stabbing the teenager with a bladed weapon, which prompted him to approach and help the victim.
However, the second suspect suddenly stabbed him in the back.
The two suspects then fled towards B. Castenas St., together with four other minors.
The victims were brought to two different hospitals, but the teenager was declared dead-on-arrival at the Navotas City Hospital.
NCPS Substation 2 (SS 2) personnel immediately conducted a hot-pursuit operation and located the two suspects at 12 midnight on Friday, Sept. 15.
Police said the first suspect was brought to the barangay hall for documentation. Seized from him was a 10-inch long butterfly knife.
The second suspect turned himself in to the authorities.
The two suspects were placed under police custody.
The police operatives later conducted a follow-up operation to arrest their four cohorts but failed to locate them.
Upon returning to the barangay hall, the operatives saw a large crowd composed of the slain victim’s family, neighbors and other residents looking for the first suspect.
NCPS chief Col. Mario Cortes said a brawl ensued between some men in crowd and those who they suspect as members of the suspects’ gang in front of the barangay hall.
The police dispersed the crowd and assisted the arresting officers in transporting the first suspect to the city police headquarters.
Two law enforcers were hurt during the commotion. They were immediately given medical attention.
Cortes said augmentation forces from the Northern Police District - District Mobile Force Battalion will be deployed to maintain peace and order in the area.
Police said that from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., curfew hours will be enforced in the area by the SS 2 led by Lt. Alexander Calabucal.
Meanwhile, the NCPS launched an operation to locate the suspects' cohorts.
The police also requested for a copy of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage in the are for possible identification of the persons involved in the brawl in front of the barangay hall.
The incident is still under investigation, Cortes said.